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Remembered Today:

'For the sake of example'


burlington

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There was an obituary yesterday in the Telegraph of this man.

It said that in 1983, he published a book of accounts of men shot for cowardice during the War.

Has anyone read it? Any views?

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An excellent book which gives details (minus names) of those executed. It's also full of background information on how the army mindset worked, and all the factors leading to the decision to execute. It also highlights inconsistencies, questions asked in parliament, the answers given, etc. Anthony Babington was a judge himself, so his book is very thorough in its attention to detail but still very readable. You can still get it - it's listed in the current Ray Westlake catalogue.

Tom

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An Excellent Read!

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An excellent book which gives details (minus names) of those executed. It's also full of background information on how the army mindset worked, and all the factors leading to the decision to execute. It also highlights inconsistencies, questions asked in parliament, the answers given, etc. Anthony Babington was a judge himself, so his book is very thorough in its attention to detail but still very readable. You can still get it - it's listed in the current Ray Westlake catalogue.

Tom

I would endorse all these comments and Judge Babington's assessment of the matter under discussion can be read below.

For the Sake of Example 'led the way' to Putkowski and Sykes' Shot at Dawn.

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Hello All!

I can only agree - an excellent book.

The reprinted edition from 2002 (Penguin Classic Military History) has an appendix listing the (traceable) names of all the British soldiers executed in WW1, plus unit, offence and date of execution. In the preface to the 2002 edition Anthony Babington explains how he was given access to to the files in 1981, but was not allowed to reveal the names when he originally wrote the book (published 1983).

All the best,

Tony

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An exellent book and a worthwile read

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Anthony Babington.

A pioneer for the truth which successive governments tried to hide under the 75 year rule.

Regards

Frank East

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